Chapter 176
Fwoooosh!

A magic circle materialized in midair.

“!!”

In an instant, the dark mages watching the duel jumped to their feet without realizing it.

“An interference spell?”

“W-what?”

It was a technique that involved meddling with the opponent’s magic as it unfolded.

The problem was that this was an incredibly advanced method.

You had to insert yourself into the opponent’s spell in real time, adapting to countless changes in a split second.

Unless you had an expert-level understanding of the magic being cast, it was impossible to pull off.

“Prince Christian couldn’t possibly know the secret destructive dark magic spell, could he?”

“So he must have reverse-engineered the entire spell on the spot?”

But the real shock was yet to come.

The purpose of an interference spell was simple: to disrupt and cancel the opponent’s magic.

In theory, you could meddle in any way—alter the magic’s direction, change some of its properties, and so on.

But to do that, you’d have to be capable of creating new magic on the fly.

Only a true master in the field could manage that.

In reality, the limit was just breaking the spell to cancel it outright.

“Christian just changed the nature of Kashmir’s magic!”

Christian’s interference spell had transformed Kashmir’s magic.

He had imbued the swirling ice with an enchantment attribute.

The dark magic Christian fired had merged with the ice.

“Insane.”

The watching dark mages swallowed hard.

Even seeing it with their own eyes, it was hard to believe.

“Could it be that Prince Christian has reached the fifth star level in dark magic?”

“But even a specialist dark mage wouldn’t be able to do that at the fifth star level, right?!”

If Kashmir’s dark magic had been a simple second or third star spell, maybe.

But no—it was fourth star.

A dark magic of the ‘nature transformation’ rank.

“Impossible.”

Yet no one realized the true horror was just beginning.

“Just some cheap tricks.”

Philip twitched his eyebrows.

His pride was wounded seeing Christian do something even he, a so-called genius, couldn’t.

“It’s useless!”

Flare! Flare! Flare!

The flames of destruction blazed even fiercer.

The swirling ice Kashmir had conjured looked pitiful in comparison.

But then, something changed.

Whoooooosh!

The ice vortex suddenly expanded wide.

As if it were encircling the flames from a distance.

“What the? How did Rusted Horn change like that?”

“That’s not even the shape of Rusted Horn anymore!”

Of course, this was also Christian’s doing.

He used the dominion property of dark magic.

Christian’s reason for infusing Rusted Horn with dark magic wasn’t just to boost its power, but to bring the entire spell under his control.

This was a trick only possible because Christian’s dark magic was pure to the fullest degree.

And also because Kashmir didn’t resist Christian’s interference at all.

Even true mastery dark magic isn’t invincible.

Christian narrowed his eyes.

True mastery dark magic was like ‘strong energy’—magic cast through sheer will.

Therefore, the spell had a pillar of willpower.

If I can break that pillar of will…

Of course, this was extremely difficult.

Especially breaking the will of a fifth star true mastery dark magic with a fourth star spell was like breaking fifth star strong energy with a fourth star dark sword.

But it didn’t matter.

Christian had shown overwhelming power even when wielding only the dark sword.

“Prince Kashmir, watch closely and feel what I’m about to do.”

“!!”

Buzz!

The dark magic within the ice shifted.

Christian’s ‘will’ infused the dark magic and the spell Kashmir had cast.

“This is the manifestation of will.”

Christian gestured.

The ice flew toward the flames of destruction.

Normally, the ice should have melted and vanished immediately.

But unbelievably, it didn’t melt.

Nor did it shatter under the destructive energy of the flames.

Christian’s will had overcome the destructive force.

“…This is absurd!!!”

Philip’s shock was audible.

Not just Philip—everyone watching reacted the same way.

It was impossible to infuse a fourth star spell with willpower.

That’s why there were special true mastery incantations designed to hold willpower.

But Christian had previously managed to infuse willpower into strong energy with his dark sword.

Though there was a difference between dark sword and magic, this was well within his capabilities.

Christian spoke quietly.

“Willpower is the force that makes anything possible.”

The humble ice tore through the giant-like flames.

An unreal sight, like an egg cracking a rock.

Kashmir shuddered.

He could feel Christian’s will embedded in his magic.

“Never forget this sensation you’re feeling now.”

Christian had a reason for this duel.

He wanted Kashmir to experience his ‘will’ firsthand, to give him a foundation for growth.

If Kashmir didn’t get stronger, he wouldn’t survive what lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Kashmir clenched his fists, feeling Christian’s resolve.

“Thank you, Prince.”

A determination blossomed in his heart.

“I will never forget the favors you have shown me. I, Kashmir, will dedicate everything to you.”

Then.

An unbelievable miracle happened.

Fwoooosh!

The flames, torn apart by the ice, scattered into nothingness.

The magic was undone!

“Ugh!!”

Philip coughed up blood and dropped to his knees.

The hall fell silent.

Everyone’s expectations were shattered—Kashmir had won.

No, Kashmir hadn’t done anything. It was Christian’s victory.

“How could he do something like that?”

Everyone in the banquet hall was stunned, staring at Christian.

If Christian had beaten Philip head-on, it wouldn’t have been so surprising.

But he had performed an impossible miracle to bring Philip down.

Everyone was dumbfounded, wondering if they had really seen what they thought they saw.

“This side wins.”

Swish.

A cold blade was pressed against Philip’s neck.

“!!”

Philip gritted his teeth.

“I-I won’t accept this.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sure he used some cowardly trick I don’t know about…!!”

Philip couldn’t accept what had just happened based on his knowledge of dark magic.

He must have used some unknown artifact or something. Otherwise, there’s no way he could have done that!

Philip was a genius.

But even he couldn’t imagine pulling off what had just happened.

So naturally, he assumed his opponent had cheated somehow.

Meanwhile, Christian looked at Philip with a clear gaze.

“You’re stupid, huh? Your thoughts must be limited too.”

“!!”

“Anyway, it’s settled. As promised earlier, kneel down and beg for forgiveness.”

Philip’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.

He remembered the agreement before the duel: the loser would kneel before the winner.

“Y-you think I’d do something like that?!”

“You will.”

Shing.

“If you don’t, you’ll die.”

Christian’s sword pierced Philip’s neck.

“!!”

Blood began to trickle out.

“Why? You don’t think I’m capable?”

Philip’s pupils trembled.

“If you kill me… my family won’t stand for it…”

“Well? I care more about the honor of our dark magic clan, which you’ve just sullied. You have no idea what you did wrong, do you?”

Philip had caused a scene in the banquet hall, trampling on the host clan’s honor.

“There’s only one way for a demon who’s had their honor insulted to make amends: by paying with their life. But since I’m considerate of the destructive clan, I’m giving you a chance to beg for forgiveness.”

Christian’s voice was cold and indifferent.

“If you refuse, then so be it. Do as you please. Honestly, I want to kill you right here.”

Philip’s body began to tremble.

He realized Christian really intended to kill him.

“Three…”

The blade sank deeper.

“One.”

Blood gushed out.

But Christian didn’t stop.

The blade sliced through the thin skin of Philip’s neck.

If it reached three, the carotid artery would be severed, and Philip would die.

“Two.”

Then—

“N-no!! Stop!!”

The retainers from the destructive clan shouted desperately.

An unbelievable sight followed.

Philip knelt.

“I-I’m sorry for causing a scene.”

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

Philip, the renowned genius of the destructive clan, was showing such a humiliating sight.

His whole body trembled with shame.

But the humiliation wasn’t over.

“Is that all?”

“W-what?”

“What about Kashmir?”

“!!”

He was even told to apologize to Kashmir, whom he had treated like trash.

As his mind reeled, Kashmir spoke.

“I’m fine.”

“Hmm?”

“This victory isn’t mine. I’ll make Prince Philip kneel properly with my own strength later.”

Philip’s head spun even more.

He felt like he might faint from anger and shame.

Christian smiled slyly.

“Well, that sounds good too. Fine, you can get up now.”

But Philip couldn’t stand.

He was too overwhelmed by humiliation to regain his composure.

“Did you just piss yourself?”

“!!”

Philip’s face went pale.

He hurriedly looked down, but there was no leak.

Christian was mocking him.

“Ah, maybe I was mistaken. You were just standing there so blankly, I thought you’d peed yourself like a little puppy.”

“!!”

“Anyway, no matter how embarrassed or sad you are, pee is still dirty. Don’t go making a mess—let your destruction demon clean it up, alright?”

Christiang didn’t stop mocking as he stepped down from the dueling platform.

Philip, finally snapping out of it, shouted from behind, but it was nothing more than the desperate cry of a defeated man.

Everyone stared at Christiang in shock.

Their gazes had completely changed since the banquet began.

No one dared to underestimate Christiang anymore.

Then, an unexpected voice reached Chris’s ears.

“Heh heh, how elegant. You’re even more impressive than I expected.”

“!!”

Chris flinched.

He wasn’t the only one. Everyone in the banquet hall turned, startled, to see the newcomer.

‘Elder Märchen of the Four Kings Fortress!!’

A top-tier seven-star mage.

The Puppeteer Märchen.

“This is our first meeting. I’m Märchen. Though I’m still lacking, I’m one of the Five Evils of the Curse Mage faction and serve as an elder of the Four Kings Fortress. It’s a pleasure. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

Märchen smiled enchantingly.

Though she was an elder, she looked no older than her thirties.

Her ash-gray hair and dull jade eyes—typical of the Curse Mage faction—shone with a captivating light.

“The Puppeteer has arrived.”

“Is this going to be a problem? Are we about to see a fight?”

Tension spread through the room.

This was different from when Idrinne appeared.

Idrinne was also from the Four Kings Fortress but had concealed her identity, posing as an ordinary envoy.

Märchen, however, was a powerhouse of the Four Kings Fortress—and had a long, bitter history with the Dark Mage faction.

What made things worse was her ability.

Märchen’s puppetry transcended the ‘laws’ themselves, capable of unleashing merciless slaughter regardless of how many opponents she faced.

The atmosphere grew taut with tension.

Yet Chris responded calmly.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’ve wanted to meet you as well.”

Märchen’s expression turned intrigued.

“You wanted to meet me?”

“Yes. I figured I’d like to get a look at the person whose head I plan to sever someday.”